Chipotle E. coli outbreak grows, 41 cases in two states

In a follow-up report to the E. coli outbreakin the Portland Metro area and a number of counties in Washington possibly linked to Chipotle restaurants, the total case count has nearly doubled from 22 cases Saturday to 41 cases today.

E. coli/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Oregon health officials are reporting a total of 12 cases of Shiga toxin E. coli linked to eating at Chipotle restaurants in the Portland Metro area, up from three cases that were first reported October 31.

Among the cases, three were hospitalized, Katrina Hedberg, MD, state health officer with the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division, said during a media briefing today. There have been no deaths. People in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties, as well as Columbia, Benton and Deschutes counties have reported symptoms.

Chipotle has closed at least 14 of its restaurants in the Portland metro area (Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties) to assist public health agencies with their investigation.

In Washington, the case tally is now up to 29, including a case in an additional county, Whatcom.

Residents of Clark (12), Cowlitz (3), Island (2), King (6), Skagit (5), and Whatcom (1) counties have been reported as outbreak cases. Nearly all of the 29 cases reported having been at Chipotle restaurants before getting sick. Eleven of the Washington residents were hospitalized.

There are five Washington restaurants associated with this outbreak: Hazel Dell, 7715 NE 5thAvenue, Suite 109, in Vancouver; 1404 Broadway Avenue and 4229 University Way NE in Seattle; 512 Ramsey Way 101 in Kent; and 1753 S. Burlington Blvd. in Burlington.

Chipotle restaurants are under a voluntary closure. The Washington Department of Health Food Safety Program is working to establish criteria for the restaurants in this state to reopen.